U.S. approves giant California solar project as part of Obama’s climate plan
The U.S. government has approved a 485 megawatts solar project in California as part of President Obama’s ambitious Climate Action Plan
The United States’ government approved a 485 megawatts solar project in California on Monday as part of President Barack Obama’s ambitious Climate Action Plan to boost renewable energy generation and reduce carbon emissions.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the Blythe Mesa Solar project earlier this week with the Obama administration aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and push the US economy towards clean energy sources in the build up to the key UN-led climate conference in December.
In November 2014, Obama (pictured) set a new target to reduce GHG emissions in the U.S. by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025 as part of global efforts to reach an international climate deal to limit emissions and prevent dangerous levels of global warming and climate change.
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, announced on Tuesday that the Blythe Mesa Solar project will be developed in Riverside County, California.
Jewell said: “The Obama Administration is committed to expanding responsible domestic energy production on our public lands as we diversify our nation’s energy portfolio and transition to a cleaner energy future.”
“Working closely with industry and state, tribal and local communities, these projects not only provide clean energy and cut carbon emissions, but also strengthen local economies, generate good jobs and provide affordable, reliable, sustainable power across the West.”
The 485 megawatts project is the 57th proposal to be authorised by the Interior Department since 2009, and will generate the equivalent amount of electricity to power about 145,000 average homes in California.
BLM Director Neil Kornze “Blythe Mesa is another step forward toward diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio to meet the growing demand for renewable resources… With this approval, the BLM is well on its way in realizing the president’s vision of permitting 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy on public land by the end of this decade.”
